Autumn Brocades the Range (also called: "Glimpse of Big Bear Lake" & "Autumn Brocade")

Frances Gearhart

An exceptional example of Frances Gearhart's color relief prints of the mountains of the Western U.S. She often used the viewpoint of a hiker in her compositions, as she did in this impression to provide a peek at a lake in the distance, as seen in autumn light and foliage from the surrounding mountain tops.

Gearhart, who printed all her own works, used a black linoleum key-block, printed to create the linear elements for this landscape and then brushed color on tone blocks. As a result of this direct approach each impression will vary in color to some degree.

As with other color blockprint artists, such as W.S. Rice, she would occasionally change the title for one reason or another. This print is also called “Glimpse of Bear Lake” and “Autumn Brocade”.

'Big Bear Lake' is located in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southeastern California. It is noted as a four season vacation destination, skiing in winter to water sports in summer. It was a location that inspired many artists in the early 20th century.